Instrument Validation: Hospital Nurse Perceptions of Meaning and Joy in Work.

Publication Title

Journal of nursing measurement

Authors

Dana N Rutledge, St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, California; California State University, Fullerton, CaliforniaFollow
Mary Wickman, St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton, California; Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CaliforniaFollow
Elizabeth Winokur, St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, California; California State University, Los Angeles, CaliforniaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Keywords

instrument development; joy in work; meaning in work; nursing; role-related meaning; workforce engagement

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: When workers experience meaning and joy in work (MJW), job satisfaction and retention are enhanced. No measure for MJW among nurses exists. The purpose of this work was to develop/test the MJW Questionnaire (MJWQ).

METHODS: The initial MJWQ was piloted with a convenience sample of post-licensure nursing students. Factor analyses established MJWQ subscales for the MJWQ: "value /connections," "meaningful work," "caring." Subsequently, 463 employed nurses validated MJWQ psychometrics.

RESULTS: The MJWQ demonstrated acceptable construct validity and internal consistency (α = .94). Scores were significantly associated with job satisfaction (

CONCLUSIONS: Initial testing supports adequate measurement of MJW for hospital nurses in varying roles. Testing in other settings, evaluation of sensitivity in determining intervention effectiveness, and inclusion in multivariate analyses of workforce engagement are suggested.

Specialty/Research Institute

Nursing